Do I need to lose more?

[nathania]

I have reached what I feel would be my goal weight but I still see a lot of body fat around my stomach. I am unsure what to do at this point because my family and friends all seem to think that I am definitely thin enough and I know that my actual weight is low. I have a very small frame and I have had three children, the last one this past November. I just don't know if I should continue to try to eat in a way that helps me to lose weight, or to move to a maintenance level, or to actually try to gain weight :help:

I do exercise: strength training and Pilates. I just want to get rid of the flab!!! Any ideas, suggestions, advice are greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[dazzlin182]

im pretty much like you. i just lift some weights and do cardio on and off these days (combined with ok eating, not binge). i havent put any bigger # and still maintain goal ive reached.

congrats for reaching your goal

[DietSka]

I, too, had some fat left when I got to goal but I didn't want to get too thin so I increased my carbs and stopped losing weight. Despite not losing pounds, I have lost a whole jeans size in the past two months.
I highly recommend reading this thread: How fat moves about (http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=23367)

[nathania]

Thank you so much. The link was very interesting. I do have a thin face and my arms look like sticks. (Much to my disappointments since I do lift weights to try and build muscle) I think I will maintain at this point and just see what happens.
:)

[elijaeger]

Weight training is the only way to build muscle... you might gain total weight but you'll *look* better.

[LadyBelle]

There were some interesting threads on here about how fat is distributed once you are at goal weight. It takes about 6 months after you stop losing for the fat to redistribute more evenly over your body.

It may also be impossible to get a completely flat abdomen without goign through a very strict body building program. Women naturally have a little extra softness there. Having a small round is normal and femanine (sp). Genetics, loose skin and a number of other things can also play a part.

If you just try to lose more weight what will possibly happen is the rest of your body gets smaller and smaller making your tummy look bigger in compairison. If you get too thin your tummy will even start to swell and bloat. If you look at some anorexics they look very pregnant after a while.